On February 18, 2026, the EEOC filed a federal lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. (“Coca-Cola”) alleging that it violated Title VII when it excluded male employees from an employer-sponsored event. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that Coca-Cola discriminated against male employees because only female employees were invited to a two-day trip and networking event that occurred in 2024. “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has long made the exclusion of one protected class of employees from an employer-sponsored event a violation of the law,” said Catherine L. Eschbach, acting EEOC general counsel. “Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary. The EEOC remains committed to ensuring that all employees – men and women alike – enjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment, including participation in employer-sponsored events, regardless of their sex, race or other protected category.”
The EEOC’s actions align with its recent pronouncement that it would be pursuing “discrimination related to DEI at work.” In light of the EEOC’s decision to pursue litigation against an employer for a female networking event, employers need to proceed with caution when limiting participation in employer-sponsored events. For assistance or more information about the EEOC’s anti-DEI initiatives, please contact your Bricker Graydon Wyatt employment counsel.
